Did You Know: UT, WA, and ID Have Very Different Laws For Vehicle Headlight Use

Traveling between states isn’t uncommon in our area. Driving between Idaho, Washington, and Utah is almost habitual for some of us.

But did you know there are different driving laws in each of those states that you might be breaking? We aren’t talking about cell phone use (though that does differ between states) or the unwritten law to not drive in Utah on I15 during rush hour. This law is about your headlights and when you’re supposed to use them.

Do ID, WA, and UT Have Different Laws For Using Headlights at Night?

I live in Idaho and I have family in Utah so I travel between states a lot. But I did just learn that Idaho and Utah have different laws regarding when you have to use your headlights and Washington State has a different law than Idaho too.

My understanding, not even sure if it was based on law or common sense, was that you need to use your headlights BEFORE it gets dark. When the sun starts going down, you should have them on when driving. It’s not about you seeing but being seen by other drivers since dusk is a tough time on the eyes.

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It turns out, that’s really only the law in 2 of the states.

FYI: ID, UT, and WA Have Very Different Headlight Use Laws

• Idaho says you need to have your headlights on from sunset to sunrise.
• Utah says you need to have them on from sunset to sunrise. Though various law sites say Utah only requires use 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, the law was updated in May of 2023.
• Washington also says you have them on 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

Where Utah and Washington differ again from Idaho is in non-night situations where visibility might be poor.

• Washington State says you should use your headlights when visibility is poor due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions and when visibility is limited to 1,000 feet.
• Utah also says to use them when you can’t see 1,000 feet ahead of you and when there is insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions.
• Idaho says to use them when there is not sufficient light to clearly see 500 feet ahead.

There are also rules about using high beams and fog lights at certain distances or weather conditions that differ between the states.

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Now, you might think that none of this matters if you drive a car that automatically turns on the headlights at a specific low light level - but you should make sure that is the proper time.

It also isn't required specifically by law to use your headlights if your wipers are on, though it would make sense that if your wipers are on that means unfavorable atmospheric conditions and it would be a good idea to use them. Though this website says it is required in Idaho and Washington but not in Utah to use your headlights when your wipers are on or in a construction zone.

It is definitely worth noting that you should be certain that all your lights turn on at sunset. We see too often cars with headlights on but no indicator lights on the rear of the car.